Automatic harrow elevator



April 3, 1934. E Q ATKINSQN 1,953,208

AUTOMATIC HARROW ELEVATOR Filed Feb. 28, 1935llllllllllmii."llllllllllllllllllllIlllIllllmflfi'lllllllflllllllllllIllIF INVENTOR A TTORNEY PatentedApr. 3, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to automatic harrow elevators, and moreparticularly to harrows or similar devices adapted to level rough groundand break earth clods, and the like.

One of the disadvantages in using the present harrow, especially onfarms, is the clogging of the teeth by weeds, grass and similar objects.If the harrow is drawn upon the rough ground the teeth engage the earthand earth clods, and after a time they become clogged with weeds and thelike.

One of the objects of this invention is the provision of a harrow havingan automatic elevator thereon.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a harrow consistingof an automatic elevator for raising the harrow and teeth at an anglefrom the earth so as to permit the weeds engaged with said teeth to bereleased therefrom.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a harrow havingauxiliary wheels for permitting the harrow teeth to be free from a roadsurface and thereby prevent the mutilation thereof.

Other objects and features will more fully appear from the followingdescription and accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a side view of aharrow provided with an elevational means, and Fig. 2 a top plan view ofthe harrow. Fig. 3

, shows diagrammatically two steps in the operation of the device.

Referring to the drawing, a harrow 1 is provided with a body 2 havingteeth 3 in spaced relation to each other and secured into said body inany suitable manner. A pair of bearings 4 are secured, respectively, toeither side of said body and are adapted to accommodate an axle 5, theends of which are, respectively, provided with arms 6 terminating inpoints 7 and having semicircumferential members 8 extending therefrom.Wheels 9 are secured to, and rotatable in, bearings 9 on said members 8.

A portion of the body is provided with arms 10 projecting therefrom. Acatch 11 extends from the axle and is adapted to rest upon a latch 12disposed in guide bearings 13 and 14 secured to said body. Fixed to thetop of bearing 13 is a post 15 adapted to serve as an anchor for aspring 16, one end of which is secured thereto; the other end beingsecured to a handle 17 which is a part i of, and extends from, latch 12.An eye-bolt 18 is secured in the top of said handle 17 and adapted toaccommodate a rope 18' or the like. Links 19 are respectively connectedin pivotal fashion to each side of said body and have at the free endthereof Wheels 20. Stops 21 are located in close proximity to said linksto prevent movement in one direction. Latching means 21 hold said Wheelsin inoperative position. A coupler 22 is secured to the end of the bodyportion and adapted to receive any means for dragging said harrow.

The axle is also provided with a stop 23 adapted to engage a latch 24disposed in a bearing 25 secured to one of the arms 10.

It is obvious from the foregoing that when the coupler is connected todrawing means and the latter is actuated, the harrow will move forwardover the rough ground. The rope 18 extends to the drawing means (notshown) and when the harrow teeth are desired to be elevated from theground so as to permit expulsion of the weeds and the like, that areclogged and engaged with said teeth, force is exerted on the rope whichcauses the latch to release the catch and due to gravity thesemi-circumferential member 8 will fall in the direction of arrow 26(due gravitation being exerted on arm 6 and points 7) and upon saidmember so falling, points 7 will engage the earth and the harrow will begradually elevated due to the arm 6 causing the axis of said shaft topivot about the center of points '7.

Member 8 will roll its entire length, over the ground, and spring 16,immediately when the rope is released, will cause the latch to resumeits normal position. When the free end of member 8 contacts the groundarm 6 is off perpendicular center in the direction of travel of theharrow and gravitation will cause said member 8 to drop in direction ofarrow, and latch 12 being repositioned (after being pulled out of thepath of travel of catch 11) the latter will engage former and thusretard movement thereof.

If it is desired to convey :the harrow over a hard surface road or thelike latch 24 may be positioned in the path of catch 23 thereby causingwheels 9 to remain in fixed position so as to serve for wheelingpurposes. Wheels .19 may be released thereby completely elevating theteeth so as to prevent engagement thereof with the earth. Links 19engage stops 21 in an angular manner so that when the harrow is drawnalong the road a force will be exerted against said stops that tends tomaintain such position of the links.

It is also obvious from the foregoing that the invention may be locatedon any part of the harrow body and be operated in a similar manner. Asshown in the drawing, when the harrow is elevated a substantial portionof the teeth will be free from the earth while the anterior teeth willtilt at an angle thereby causing the grass to be removed therefrom, uponmovement 1-10 of the harrow, since an angular tilt decreases frictionbetween said Weeds and. the earth. Weeds and dirt engaging the teeththat are free from the ground (when harrovv is elevated) will falltherefrom (due to gravitation) and also such fall will be facilitated byearthclods (possibly) engaging said free teeth.

It is expressly understood that this invention may also be used forleveling purposes in other lines of endeavor as Well as farm work; suchfor instance, in road construction work, and the like.

Having described this invention, what is claimed is:

In a device of the character described consisting of a body portionhaving members projecting therefrom; a shaft disposed in bearings andprovided with arms extending therefrom; semicircumferential membersengaging said arms; a catch on said shaft; a latch adapted to engagesaid catch so as to prevent movement of said semi-circumferentialmembers in one direction; a stop secured to said shaft; a second latchdisposed on said body and adapted to be actuated in the path of saidstop so as to prevent movement of said shaft in one direction; a springengaging said first mentioned latch so as to cause the latter toobstruct the path of said catch; wheels respectively on saidsemi-circumferential members, and Wheels respectively secured to saidbody portion in pivotal fashion.

FRANKLIN C. ATKINSON.

